Range hood

ABSTRACT

A range hood includes: fan unit ( 4 ) having a built-in fan; frame unit ( 3 ) connected to the fan unit; rectifier ( 5 ) disposed in a lower part of the frame unit; and communication module ( 7 ) mounted on mounting portion ( 6 ) of the frame unit. The communication module includes transmitting/receiving unit ( 11 ) and transmitting/receiving unit case ( 8 ). The communication module performs, via the transmitting/receiving unit, radio communication using radio waves with a central control unit that controls another ventilation apparatus or another air conditioning apparatus. The transmitting/receiving unit case includes case portion ( 9 ) covering the transmitting/receiving unit, and cover portion ( 10 ) connected to the case portion. The mounting portion is made of metal, has a box shape, and has opening ( 21 ) so that radio waves arrive at transmitting/receiving unit that is built-in the mounting portion. The cover portion is at least partially made of resin or glass. The cover portion is fixed to the mounting portion so as to block the opening and be exposed to the inside of a room.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a range hood.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventionally known range hood includes a box shaped body, arectifier, a fan casing in the body, and a filter between the fan casingand a suction port disposed in a lower part of the body (for example,Patent Literature 1). Such a range hood is installed above a cookingappliance, for example, and collects the oily smoke generated duringcooking and discharges it to the outdoors.

The range hood is described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 12.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram showing a side cross section of aconventional range hood. As shown in FIG. 12, the conventional rangehood includes box shaped body 101, and rectifier 102 disposed in a lowerpart of body 101. Fan casing 103 is disposed in body 101. Centrifugalfan 104 is disposed in fan casing 103, and motor 105 for rotatingcentrifugal fan 104 is disposed in top plate 108 of fan casing 103.Filter 107 held by movable fixing portion 109 is disposed betweensuction port 106 disposed in a lower part of body 101 and fan casing103.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

PTL 1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-187536

SUMMARY

In order to control such a conventional range hood via radiocommunication from a central control unit, a communication module mustbe mounted in the range hood. For example, when the communication moduleis mounted in a region covered with a metal shell inside the body sothat it is not affected by the oily smoke generated during cooking, thesurrounding metal shell reduces the strength of radio wave propagation,and, disadvantageously, it becomes difficult to control the range hoodwith the communication module.

In order to suppress the reduction in strength of radio wavepropagation, the communication module may be independently installed ona wall surface or the like outside the body without being mounted in thebody. In this case, however, the construction man-hour increases.

The present invention addresses the conventional problems. The objectiveof the present invention is to provide a range hood in which, when acommunication module is installed, the reduction in strength of radiowave propagation to a transmitting/receiving unit in the communicationmodule can be suppressed.

In order to achieve this object, a range hood in accordance with anaspect of the present invention includes: a fan unit having a built-infan; a frame unit connected to the fan unit; a rectifier disposed in alower part of the frame unit; and a communication module mounted on amounting portion of the frame unit. The communication module includes atransmitting/receiving unit and a transmitting/receiving unit case. Thecommunication module performs, via the transmitting/receiving unit,radio communication using radio waves with a central control unit thatcontrols another ventilation apparatus or another air conditioningapparatus. The transmitting/receiving unit case includes a case portioncovering the transmitting/receiving unit, and a cover portion connectedto the case portion. The mounting portion is made of metal, has a boxshape, and has an opening so that radio waves arrive at thetransmitting/receiving unit that is built-in the mounting portion. Thecover portion is at least partially made of resin or glass. The coverportion is fixed to the mounting portion so as to block the opening andbe exposed to the inside of a room. Thus, an intended object isachieved.

The present invention can provide a range hood in which, when acommunication module is installed, the reduction in strength of radiowave propagation to a transmitting/receiving unit in the communicationmodule can be suppressed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a side cross section of arange hood in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the range hood;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a central control unit for performing radiocommunication with the range hood;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a modified example of the rangehood;

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing another modified example of therange hood;

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a side cross section of arange hood in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the range hood;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the range hood;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged side view of a periphery of a communication modulein accordance with the second exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the periphery of thecommunication module;

FIG. 11 is a side configuration diagram showing a modified example ofthe range hood; and

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram showing a side cross section of aconventional range hood.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A range hood in accordance with an aspect of the present inventionincludes: a fan unit having a built-in fan; a frame unit connected tothe fan unit; a rectifier disposed in a lower part of the frame unit;and a communication module mounted on a mounting portion of the frameunit. The communication module includes a transmitting/receiving unitand a transmitting/receiving unit case. The communication moduleperforms, via the transmitting/receiving unit, radio communication usingradio waves with a central control unit that controls anotherventilation apparatus or another air conditioning apparatus. Thetransmitting/receiving unit case includes a case portion covering thetransmitting/receiving unit, and a cover portion connected to the caseportion. The mounting portion is made of metal, has a box shape, and hasan opening so that radio waves arrive at the transmitting/receiving unitthat is built in the mounting portion. The cover portion is at leastpartially made of resin or glass. The cover portion is fixed to themounting portion so as to block the opening and be exposed to the insideof a room.

Thus, the transmitting/receiving unit can transmit or receive radiowaves via the cover portion. Even when the transmitting/receiving unitof the communication module is disposed in the metal-made mountingportion with a box shape, the reduction in strength of radio wavepropagation to the transmitting/receiving unit can be suppressed. Thus,the communication module can be mounted in the range hood, and theincrease in construction man-hour can be suppressed.

A range hood in accordance with another aspect of the present inventionincludes: a fan unit having a built-in fan; a frame unit connected tothe fan unit; a rectifier disposed in a lower part of the frame unit;and a communication module. The communication module includes atransmitting/receiving unit and a transmitting/receiving unit case. Thecommunication module performs, via the transmitting/receiving unit,radio communication using radio waves with a central control unit thatcontrols another ventilation apparatus or another air conditioningapparatus. The transmitting/receiving unit case is at least partiallymade of resin or glass, covers the transmitting/receiving unit, and isdisposed on the upper surface of the frame unit so that thetransmitting/receiving unit projects into a space separated from theinside of a room.

Thus, the contact of the air containing the oily smoke with thetransmitting/receiving unit can be suppressed. As a result, a failure ofthe communication module can be suppressed, and the reduction inreceiver sensitivity of the communication module can be suppressed.Since the transmitting/receiving unit is projected into the spaceseparated from the inside of the room, the transmitting/receiving unitcan be disposed outside the body. Therefore, the transmitting/receivingunit can transmit or receive radio waves via the transmitting/receivingunit case, and the reduction in strength of radio wave propagation tothe transmitting/receiving unit can be suppressed. Thus, thecommunication module can be mounted in the range hood, and the increasein construction man-hour can be suppressed.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention aredescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a side cross section of arange hood in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the range hood of thefirst exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, body 2constituting the range hood is installed above heating cooker 13. Forexample, heating cooker 13 is a gas cooker disposed on cooking table 14in room inside 1 where a kitchen or the like is formed.

Body 2 includes fan unit 4 having a built-in fan (not shown), and frameunit 3 connected to fan unit 4.

Frame unit 3 includes metal-made mounting portion 6 with a box shape onwhich communication module 7 is mounted.

Mounting portion 6 has front surface 6 a, upper surface 6 b, lowersurface 6 c, rear surface 6 d, left-side surface 6 e, and right-sidesurface 6 f.

Operation unit 15 used for operating a motion of the fan is disposed onfront surface 6 a of mounting portion 6.

Rectifier 5 is disposed in a lower part of frame unit 3. Suction unit 12for sucking the air containing the oily smoke generated during cookingis formed between rectifier 5 and rear surface 6 d of mounting portion6.

Communication module 7 includes transmitting/receiving unit case 8, andtransmitting/receiving unit 11 in transmitting/receiving unit case 8.

Transmitting/receiving unit case 8 includes case portion 9 and coverportion 10. Case portion 9 covers transmitting/receiving unit 11. Coverportion 10 is at least partially made of resin or glass, for example,and is connected to case portion 9.

Mounting portion 6 is made of metal, has a box shape, and has opening 21in lower surface 6 c so that radio waves arrive attransmitting/receiving unit 11.

Communication module 7 is inserted into mounting portion 6 via opening21. In other words, communication module 7 is mounted in mountingportion 6. As shown in FIG. 1, cover portion 10 oftransmitting/receiving unit case 8 is fixed to lower surface 6 c ofmounting portion 6 so as to block opening 21 and be exposed to roominside 1. In other words, cover portion 10 is fixed to mounting portion6 so as to block opening 21 from the outside of mounting portion 6.

In such a configuration, transmitting/receiving unit 11 can transmit orreceive radio waves via cover portion 10. Transmitting/receiving unit 11is not affected by the oily smoke during cooking because it is coveredwith case portion 9 and cover portion 10. If transmitting/receiving unit11 is covered with metal, the strength of radio wave propagation totransmitting/receiving unit 11 is reduced. In the present exemplaryembodiment, however, the lower surface of transmitting/receiving unit 11is covered with cover portion 10 made of resin or glass. Thus, thereduction in strength of radio wave propagation totransmitting/receiving unit 11 can be suppressed. Therefore,communication module 7 can be mounted in the range hood without beingcovered with a metal shell, and hence it is not necessary thatcommunication module 7 is independently disposed on a wall surface orthe like outside body 2. Therefore, the construction man-hour can beequivalent to the man-hour for installation of a conventional rangehood.

Hereinafter, communication module 7 is described with reference to FIG.3. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a central control unit for performingradio communication with the range hood of the first exemplaryembodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, communication module 41 mounted incentral control unit 31 performs radio communication using radio waveswith communication modules 7, 42 b, 42 c, and 42 d mounted in range hood32 a and a plurality of ventilation apparatuses 32 b, 32 c, and 32 d. Inaccordance with the control specification corresponding to theinformation of the operation states of the range hood and ventilationapparatuses, central control unit 31 controls the operations of rangehood 32 a and the plurality of ventilation apparatuses 32 b, 32 c, and32 d.

Some or whole of other ventilation apparatuses 32 b, 32 c, and 32 d maybe air conditioning apparatuses such as air conditioners. Range hood 32a is also a ventilation apparatus.

The first exemplary embodiment has described the case that communicationmodule 7 is mounted on the right-side surface 6 f side and lower surface6 c side of mounting portion 6. The mounting position of communicationmodule 7 is not limited to this. Hereinafter, another mounting positionof communication module 7 is described. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 areconfiguration diagrams showing side cross sections of other range hoodsof the first exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, opening 21 may bedisposed in upper surface 6 b of mounting portion 6, and cover portion10 of transmitting/receiving unit case 8 may be fixed to upper surface 6b of mounting portion 6. In other words, communication module 7 may bemounted on the upper surface 6 b side. As shown in FIG. 4, communicationmodule 7 is installed near the center of mounting portion 6 in thelateral direction, but may be installed on the left-side surface 6 eside or may be installed on the right-side surface 6 f side.

In the above-mentioned configuration, since communication module 7 isinstalled on the upper surface 6 b side of mounting portion 6, coverportion 10 of transmitting/receiving unit case 8 is hardly affected bythe hot air sucked into the range hood during cooking and the heat fromheating cooker 13. Therefore, the reduction in strength of radio wavepropagation due to increase in ambient temperature of communicationmodule 7 can be suppressed.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, opening 21 may be disposed in rearsurface 6 d of mounting portion 6, and cover portion 10 oftransmitting/receiving unit case 8 may be fixed to rear surface 6 d ofmounting portion 6. As shown in FIG. 5, communication module 7 isinstalled near the center of mounting portion 6 in the lateraldirection, but may be installed on the left-side surface 6 e side or maybe installed on the right-side surface 6 f side.

In the above-mentioned configuration, since communication module 7 isinstalled on the rear surface 6 d side of mounting portion 6, coverportion 10 is not seen from the front surface of the range hood.Therefore, the designability can be improved.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

Hereinafter, a range hood of a second exemplary embodiment is describedwith reference to FIG. 6 to FIG. 11. In FIG. 6 to FIG. 11, elementssimilar to those in FIG. 1 to FIG. 5 are denoted by the same referencemarks, and the detailed descriptions of those elements are omitted.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a side cross section of therange hood in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6, the range hood includes: fan unit 4 having abuilt-in fan (not shown); frame unit 3 connected to fan unit 4;rectifier 5 disposed in a lower part of frame unit 3; and communicationmodule 57.

Fan unit 4 includes a fan, fan casing 54, and shell 55. The fan is builtin fan casing 54. Shell 55 covers fan casing 54.

Communication module 57 is fixed to upper surface 3 a of frame unit 3via fixing portion 53. A part of communication module 57 projects intospace 50 (for example, space above ceiling wall 51) separated from theinside of the room.

As shown by air flow A, the air containing the oily smoke generatedduring cooking is sucked into frame unit 3 through suction unit 12.Then, the air is sucked into fan casing 54 with the fan. Then, the airis discharged to the outside through duct 52 connected to fan casing 54.

Here, a part of fixing portion 53 may be disposed on a region exposed toair flow A.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the range hood in accordance with the secondexemplary embodiment. Although not shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 7 also showsflange portion 3 b of frame unit 3.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the range hood in accordance with the secondexemplary embodiment. Although not shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 8 also showslead wire 61 connected to communication module 57. FIG. 8 shows thestate where rectifier 5 is removed.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged side view of a periphery of the communicationmodule in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment. FIG. 10 is anenlarged perspective view of the periphery of the communication modulein accordance with the second exemplary embodiment. FIG. 9 and FIG. 10show one example of a fixing method of communication module 57 viafixing portion 53.

As shown in FIG. 10, communication module 57 includestransmitting/receiving unit 59 and transmitting/receiving unit case 58.

Transmitting/receiving unit case 58 is at least partially made of resinor glass, for example. Transmitting/receiving unit case 58 coverstransmitting/receiving unit 59. In FIG. 10, a part oftransmitting/receiving unit 59 in transmitting/receiving unit case 58can be seen.

As shown in FIG. 9, via fixing portion 53 disposed under upper surface 3a of frame unit 3, transmitting/receiving unit case 58 is fixed to uppersurface 3 a of frame unit 3. Fixing portion 53 disposed under uppersurface 3 a may include a part disposed above upper surface 3 a.

As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, fixing portion 53 may include claws 71.In the present exemplary embodiment, fixing portion 53 is engaged withupper surface 3 a via claws 71. Fixing portion 53 is fixed to uppersurface 3 a also using screws 72 and nuts 73. Each screw 72 includes tip72 a. Fixing portion 53 is made of resin or glass, for example.

Thus, in the range hood of the present exemplary embodiment,transmitting/receiving unit case 58 is disposed on upper surface 3 a offrame unit 3 so that transmitting/receiving unit 59 projects into space50 separated from room inside 1.

Since transmitting/receiving unit 59 is disposed in space 50 separatedfrom room inside 1 in this configuration, a contact of the aircontaining the oily smoke with transmitting/receiving unit 59 can besuppressed. As a result, a failure of communication module 57 can besuppressed, and the reduction in receiver sensitivity of communicationmodule 57 can be suppressed.

Transmitting/receiving unit 59 is covered with transmitting/receivingunit case 58, but, when transmitting/receiving unit case 58 has aclearance, air can come into transmitting/receiving unit case 58 throughthe clearance. When transmitting/receiving unit 59 projects into a space(for example, a space under upper surface 3 a) directly communicatingwith room inside 1 differently from the present exemplary embodiment,the air containing the oily smoke can flow into a periphery oftransmitting/receiving unit 59 through the clearance intransmitting/receiving unit case 58. At this time, there is a risk ofthe following accidents:

-   -   transmitting/receiving unit 59 is contaminated with the air to        make communication module 57 break down; and    -   the heat of the air adversely affects the receiver sensitivity        of communication module 57.

While, in the range hood of the present exemplary embodiment,transmitting/receiving unit case 58 is disposed above upper surface 3 aso that transmitting/receiving unit 59 projects into space 50(transmitting/receiving unit is disposed above upper surface 3 a).Therefore, even when transmitting/receiving unit case 58 has aclearance, a contact of the air containing the oily smoke withtransmitting/receiving unit 59 can be suppressed. Especially, fixingportion 53 disposed under upper surface 3 a further suppresses theinflow of contaminated air into transmitting/receiving unit case 58. Asa result, a failure of communication module 57 can be furthersuppressed, and also the reduction in receiver sensitivity ofcommunication module 57 can be further suppressed.

As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 10, by projecting transmitting/receivingunit 59 into space 50, transmitting/receiving unit 59 can be disposedoutside body 2. In other words, transmitting/receiving unit 59 is notcovered with metal-made frame unit 3, so that the strength of radio wavepropagation hardly decreases.

Thus, transmitting/receiving unit 59 can transmit or receive radio wavesvia transmitting/receiving unit case 58, and the reduction in strengthof radio wave propagation to transmitting/receiving unit 59 can besuppressed even when transmitting/receiving unit 59 of communicationmodule 57 is mounted in body 2.

Then, regarding the range hood of the present exemplary embodiment,communication module 57 can be mounted in the range hood while increasein construction man-hour is suppressed.

Then, a range hood can be provided in which, even when communicationmodule 57 is mounted in body 2, the influence of the oily smoke duringcooking can be reduced and the reduction in strength of radio wavepropagation to transmitting/receiving unit 59 can be suppressed.

Similarly to FIG. 3, communication module 57 performs, viatransmitting/receiving unit 59, radio communication using radio waveswith central control unit 31 that controls other ventilation apparatuses32 b, 32 c, and 32 d.

The second exemplary embodiment has described the case that the rangehood is installed in space 50 above ceiling wall 51. However, theinstallation position of the range hood is not limited to this.Hereinafter, a modified example of the second exemplary embodiment isdescribed. FIG. 11 is a side configuration diagram showing the modifiedexample of the range hood in accordance with the second exemplaryembodiment. The second exemplary embodiment has described the case thatthe range hood is installed above ceiling wall 51. Hereinafter, the casethat the range hood is installed in cabinet 81 disposed above heatingcooker 13 and cooking table 14 is described.

As shown in FIG. 11, a great part of frame unit 3 is disposed ininternal space 80 as the inside of cabinet 81. Cabinet 81 has uppersurface 81 a, side surface 81 b, and lower surface 81 c. Internal space80 is a space surrounded by upper surface 81 a, side surface 81 b, andlower surface 81 c.

As shown by air flow B, the air containing the oily smoke generatedduring cooking is sucked into frame unit 3 through suction unit 12.Then, the air is sucked into fan casing 54 with the fan. Then, the airis discharged to the outside through duct 52 connected to fan casing 54.

Communication module 57 shown in FIG. 11 is similar to communicationmodule 57 shown in FIG. 10.

Transmitting/receiving unit case 58 is disposed on upper surface 3 a offrame unit 3 so that transmitting/receiving unit 59 projects intointernal space 80 as space 50 separated from room inside 1.

In this configuration, a contact of the air containing the oily smokewith transmitting/receiving unit 59 can be suppressed. As a result, afailure of communication module 57 can be suppressed, and also thereduction in receiver sensitivity of communication module 57 can besuppressed.

Furthermore, by projecting transmitting/receiving unit 59 into internalspace 80, transmitting/receiving unit 59 can be disposed outsidemetal-made body 2. Therefore, transmitting/receiving unit 59 cantransmit or receive radio waves via transmitting/receiving unit case 58.

In FIG. 11, cabinet 81 is shown by a sectional view, but frame unit 3 isshown by not a sectional view but a side view.

Upper surface 3 a includes tilted upper surface 3 a ₁ of frame unit 3.In other words, the upper surface of frame unit 3 means a surface upperthan side surface 3 c of frame unit 3. Therefore, transmitting/receivingunit case 58 may be disposed on upper surface 3 a ₁ so thattransmitting/receiving unit 59 projects into internal space 80.

In FIG. 6, fan unit 4 includes a fan, fan casing 54, and shell 55. InFIG. 11, however, shell 55 for covering fan casing 54 is not alwaysnecessary. In FIG. 11, therefore, fan unit 4 is formed of a fan and fancasing 54.

In FIG. 1, FIG. 6, and FIG. 11, the air having passed through suctionunit 12 first comes into frame unit 3, and then flows in fan unit 4.Frame unit 3 forms a region into which the air having passed throughsuction unit 12 first comes.

Hereinafter, a supplement to the exemplary embodiments is described.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the range hood in accordance with anaspect of the present invention includes: fan unit 4 having a built-infan; frame unit 3 connected to the fan unit; rectifier 5 disposed in alower part of frame unit 3; and communication module 7 mounted onmounting portion 6 of frame unit 3. Communication module 7 includestransmitting/receiving unit 11 and transmitting/receiving unit case 8.Communication module 7 performs, via transmitting/receiving unit 11,radio communication using radio waves with central control unit 31 thatcontrols other ventilation apparatuses 32 b, 32 c, and 32 d or other airconditioning apparatuses. Transmitting/receiving unit case 8 includescase portion 9 covering transmitting/receiving unit 11, and coverportion 10 connected to case portion 9. Mounting portion 6 is made ofmetal, has a box shape, and has opening 21 so that radio waves arrive attransmitting/receiving unit 11 that is built-in mounting portion 6.Cover portion 10 is at least partially made of resin or glass, and isfixed to mounting portion 6 so as to block opening 21 and be exposed toroom inside 1.

Thus, transmitting/receiving unit 11 can transmit or receive radio wavesvia cover portion 10. Thus, even when transmitting/receiving unit 11 ofcommunication module 7 is disposed in metal-made mounting portion 6 witha box shape, the reduction in strength of radio wave propagation totransmitting/receiving unit 11 can be suppressed. Therefore,communication module 7 can be mounted in the range hood, and theincrease in construction man-hour can be suppressed.

Furthermore, cover portion 10 and opening 21 may be disposed in lowersurface 6 c of mounting portion 6.

Thus, transmitting/receiving unit 11 can transmit or receive radio wavesvia cover portion 10 that is disposed on lower surface 6 c of the rangehood and is exposed to a space in room inside 1.

Furthermore, cover portion 10 and opening 21 may be disposed in uppersurface 6 b of mounting portion 6.

Thus, communication module 7 is hardly affected by the hot air suckedinto the range hood during cooking and the heat from heating cooker 13.Therefore, the reduction in strength of radio wave propagation due toincrease in ambient temperature of communication module 7 can besuppressed.

Furthermore, the following configuration may be employed:

-   -   suction unit 12 is formed between rectifier 5 and rear surface 6        d of mounting portion 6; and    -   cover portion 10 and opening 21 are disposed in rear surface 6 d        of mounting portion 6.

Thus, cover portion 10 is not seen from the front surface of the rangehood, and hence the designability can be improved.

As shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 10, and FIG. 11, the range hood in accordancewith another aspect of the present invention includes: fan unit 4 havinga built-in fan; frame unit 3 connected to fan unit 4; rectifier 5disposed in a lower part of frame unit 3; and communication module 57.Communication module 57 includes transmitting/receiving unit 59 andtransmitting/receiving unit case 58. Communication module 57 performs,via transmitting/receiving unit 59, radio communication using radiowaves with central control unit 31 that controls a plurality ofventilation apparatuses 32 b, 32 c, and 32 d or other air conditioningapparatuses. At least a part or the whole of transmitting/receiving unitcase 58 is made of resin or glass, and transmitting/receiving unit case58 covers transmitting/receiving unit 59. Transmitting/receiving unitcase 58 is disposed on upper surface 3 a or 3 a ₁ of frame unit 3 sothat transmitting/receiving unit 59 projects into space 50 separatedfrom room inside 1.

Thus, a contact of the air containing the oily smoke withtransmitting/receiving unit 59 can be suppressed. As a result, a failureof communication module 57 can be suppressed, and also the reduction inreceiver sensitivity of communication module 57 can be suppressed. Byprojecting transmitting/receiving unit 59 into space 50,transmitting/receiving unit 59 can be disposed outside body 2.Therefore, transmitting/receiving unit 59 can transmit or receive radiowaves via transmitting/receiving unit case 58, and the reduction instrength of radio wave propagation to transmitting/receiving unit 59 canbe suppressed. Thus, communication module 57 can be mounted in the rangehood, and the increase in construction man-hour can be suppressed.

Space 50 may be space 50 above ceiling wall 51.

Thus, communication module 57 can perform transmission or receptionusing space 50 above ceiling wall 51.

Space 50 may be internal space 80 in cabinet 81.

Thus, communication module 57 can perform transmission or receptionusing internal space 80 in cabinet 81.

Furthermore, transmitting/receiving unit case 58 may be fixed to uppersurface 3 a or 3 a ₁ of frame unit 3 via fixing portion 53 that isdisposed under upper surface 3 a or 3 a ₁ of frame unit 3.

Thus, fixing portion 53 disposed under upper surface 3 a or 3 a ₁ canfurther suppress the inflow of the contaminated air intotransmitting/receiving unit case 58. As a result, a failure ofcommunication module 57 can be further suppressed, and the reduction inreceiver sensitivity of communication module 57 can be furthersuppressed.

Transmitting/receiving unit case 58 and fixing portion 53 may be formedintegrally with each other.

Thus, transmitting/receiving unit case 58 and fixing portion 53 can bedownsized, and hence communication module 57 is easily attached to uppersurface 3 a or 3 a ₁. When transmitting/receiving unit case 58 andfixing portion 53 are formed integrally with each other,transmitting/receiving unit case 58 may include claw 71. Whentransmitting/receiving unit case 58 and fixing portion 53 are formedintegrally with each other, it is preferable that transmitting/receivingunit case 58 and fixing portion 53 are made of resin.

The range hoods of the present invention have been described on thebasis of the exemplary embodiments, but the present invention is notlimited to the exemplary embodiments. Aspects obtained by applyingvarious modifications conceived by persons skilled in the art to thepresent exemplary embodiments or aspects obtained by combining elementsin different exemplary embodiments are included in the scope of thepresent invention as long as these aspects do not depart from the spiritof the present invention.

A range hood of the present invention allows a communication module tobe mounted in the range hood, and hence is useful also as a ventilationair conditioning system or the like in which a central control unitcontrols another ventilation apparatus or another air conditioningapparatus.

What is claimed is:
 1. A range hood comprising: a fan unit having abuilt-in fan; a frame unit connected to the fan unit; a rectifierdisposed in a lower part of the frame unit; and a communication modulemounted on a mounting portion of the frame unit, wherein thecommunication module includes a transmitting/receiving unit and atransmitting/receiving unit case, and performs radio communication usinga radio wave with a central control unit via the transmitting/receivingunit, the central control unit controlling another ventilation apparatusor another air conditioning apparatus, the transmitting/receiving unitcase includes a case portion covering the transmitting/receiving unit,and a cover portion connected to the case portion, the mounting portionis made of metal, has a box shape, and has an opening so that the radiowave arrives at the transmitting/receiving unit that is build-in themounting portion, and the cover portion is at least partially made ofresin or glass, and is fixed to the mounting portion so as to block theopening and be exposed to an inside of a room.
 2. The range hoodaccording to claim 1, wherein the cover portion and the opening aredisposed in a lower surface of the mounting portion.
 3. The range hoodaccording to claim 1, wherein the cover portion and the opening aredisposed in an upper surface of the mounting portion.
 4. The range hoodaccording to claim 1, wherein a suction unit is formed between therectifier and a rear surface of the mounting portion, and the coverportion and the opening are disposed in the rear surface of the mountingportion.
 5. A range hood comprising: a fan unit having a built-in fan; aframe unit connected to the fan unit; a rectifier disposed in a lowerpart of the frame unit; and a communication module, wherein thecommunication module includes a transmitting/receiving unit and atransmitting/receiving unit case, and performs radio communication usinga radio wave with a central control unit via the transmitting/receivingunit, the central control unit controlling another ventilation apparatusor another air conditioning apparatus, and the transmitting/receivingunit case is at least partially made of resin or glass, covers thetransmitting/receiving unit, and is disposed on an upper surface of theframe unit so that the transmitting/receiving unit projects into a spaceseparated from an inside of a room.
 6. The range hood according to claim5, wherein the space includes a space above a ceiling wall.
 7. The rangehood according to claim 5, wherein the space includes an internal spacein a cabinet.
 8. The range hood according to claim 5, wherein thetransmitting/receiving unit case is fixed to the upper surface of theframe unit via a fixing portion disposed under the upper surface of theframe unit.
 9. The range hood according to claim 8, wherein thetransmitting/receiving unit case and the fixing portion are made ofresin, and the transmitting/receiving unit case and the fixing portionare formed integrally with each other.